Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is a gifted public servant of strong convictions and many professional skills. Regrettably, knowledge of Catholic history and teaching does not seem to be one of them. ...

Of course, we now know with biological certainty exactly when human life begins. Thus, today's religious alibis for abortion and a so-called "right to choose" are nothing more than that — alibis that break radically with historic Christian and Catholic belief.

Abortion kills an unborn, developing human life. It is always gravely evil, and so are the evasions employed to justify it. Catholics who make excuses for it — whether they're famous or not — fool only themselves and abuse the fidelity of those Catholics who do sincerely seek to follow the Gospel and live their Catholic faith. (Emphasis added.)

No matter what one believes about abortion, the purposeful misstatement of a revered institution's position has no other explanation other than to mislead out of lust for political power. If Pelosi has an honest disagreement, state it, and leave the Church. Faith is about Truth and The Truth cannot be compromised as can a political issue. Faith is dogma. Religions don't change to meet transient notions.

On the other hand, no one forces anyone to remain in a church with which they cannot agree. Pelosi owes Catholic Americans an apology, now.